Ann Arbor, Mich. — Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that his football program has abided by NCAA rules, despite allegations from anonymous players and former players who say the team has practiced far beyond the time allowed.

“We know the rules,” Rodriguez said, “and we follow the rules.”

At a news conference in Ann Arbor, Rodriguez became emotional and had to gather himself several times with glassy eyes as he denied any wrongdoing.

“I guess I’m here to tell you that whatever you’ve heard or want to believe, the truth is that this coaching staff cares very deeply about the young men in our program,” he said.

The school on Sunday launched an investigation into allegations that the football program regularly violates NCAA rules limiting how much time players can spend on training and practice.

The announcement came after a Detroit Free Press article in which players from the 2008 and 2009 teams said the amount of time they spend on football during the season and in the offseason greatly exceeds NCAA limits. The players spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity because they feared repercussions from coaches.

Big Ten compliance officials arrived on campus Sunday to assist with the investigation, according to two people at the school. One person, who spends a lot of time with the team, said the school’s compliance office often makes unannounced visits to make sure the program is following the rules. Both people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the school will not publicly discuss the case until the probe is completed.

“Our office does not conduct investigations in situations such as this,” the Big Ten said in a statement. “As that task is undertaken by the institution and — depending the circumstances — the NCAA. To the extent we get involved, it is purely in an advisory capacity.”

College footballl

Ressel to kick for MU

Columbia, Mo. — Missouri sophomore Grant Ressel has emerged from a three-man battle to replace former All-Big 12 kicker Jeff Wolfert.

Coach Gary Pinkel said Monday that Ressel has won the place-kicking job, but another contender — senior Tanner Mills — will handle kickoffs in Saturday’s opener.

CU-CSU series to Denver

Denver — The football rivalry between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University has been extended for a decade and will return to Denver starting next year.

The rivalry has gained national prominence since moving to Denver in 1998, although this year’s game, the 81st in the series that began in 1893, is in Boulder on Sunday.

Former LSU star dies

Baton Rouge, La. — Marvin “Moose” Stewart, a star center for the LSU football team in the 1930s, has died. He was 97.

NFL

Rams to hold Bulger out

St. Louis — The St. Louis Rams plan to sit quarterback Marc Bulger in the preseason finale to lessen the chance of him aggravating a broken right pinkie.

Patriots’ Bruschi retires

Foxborough, Mass. — Tedy Bruschi retired Monday after a 13-year NFL career in which he won three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots and made a gallant return from a stroke.

The inside linebacker played for no other team and leaves football with only one unachieved goal — a fourth championship.

Umenyiora misses practice

East Rutherford, N.J. — Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who reported to work Monday morning with the rest of the New York Giants, had taken off by the time lunch was served after a disagreement with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan, according to sources.

After his AWOL afternoon, Umenyiora returned to the team’s complex later in the evening.

“I made a mistake by leaving the facility,” he said in a statement issued by the team. “I was wrong.”

Patriots release backup QB

Foxborough, Mass. — Quarterback Kevin O’Connell, projected to be Tom Brady’s backup, was cut Monday by the New England Patriots.

Injuries hit Lions QBs

Allen Park, Mich. — For one day, there was no question that Matt Stafford was the Detroit Lions’ first-string quarterback.

Injuries to both Daunte Culpepper (foot) and Drew Stanton (knee) meant Stafford was the only healthy quarterback at Monday’s practice.

Steelers, Keisel agree

Pittsburgh — Defensive end Brett Keisel signed a five-year contract on Monday, becoming the eighth player to reach a new deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers since they won the Super Bowl in February.

Palmer throws in practice

Cincinnati — Carson Palmer threw some passes to Cincinnati Bengals teammates during practice, an indication he could play in the final preseason game.

Cowboys’ rookies hurt

Irving, Texas — Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jason Williams, the team’s top draft pick, sustained a high ankle sprain and safety Michael Hamlin broke his arm in the preseason game against San Francisco on Saturday night.

Coach Wade Phillips said Monday that both will be out at least the next four weeks, and possibly six weeks.

Texans trade Johnson

Houston — The Houston Texans have traded defensive tackle Travis Johnson to the San Diego Chargers.

Steeler out for season

Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh Steelers right guard Darnell Stapleton has been placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury and will miss the season.

Rolle to miss 6 weeks

Owings Mills, Md. — Baltimore Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle will spend at least the opening six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list with a neck injury that could end his career.

Tweeting not OK in games

New York — Tweet away, boys. Just save it for before and after the games.

The NFL said Monday it will allow players to use social media networks this season, but not during games.

Favre leads Vikings

Houston — Brett Favre’s ribs appear to be just fine.

He took plenty of hits and even delivered one.

Adrian Peterson scored on the game’s first play, Favre played three quarters despite saying he might have an injured rib, and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Houston Texans, 17-10, in a preseason game Monday night.

Baseball

Dodgers get Thome, Garland

Los Angeles — The Dodgers have bolstered their roster for a playoff push, acquiring slugger Jim Thome from the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Jon Garland from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The deals were announced by Los Angeles in the top of the eighth inning of Monday night’s game against Arizona. Both trades were for players to be named and were completed before the midnight deadline required for postseason eligibility.

Giants sign Penny

San Francisco — Brad Penny and the Giants agreed to a minor league contract Monday night, adding another proven arm to San Francisco’s strong rotation for the stretch run.

Yankees get minor leaguer

Baltimore — The New York Yankees have acquired minor league outfielder Freddy Guzman from the Baltimore Orioles.

Basketball

Reports: Rubio staying

Minneapolis — Point guard Ricky Rubio will be staying in Spain for the next two seasons instead of coming to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves this fall, according to two published reports.

Yahoosports.com and ESPN.com cited anonymous sources in reports on Monday night that say Rubio’s Spanish team has traded him to Regal FC Barcelona.

Robertson to be honored

Geneva — Oscar Robertson and coach Pete Newell will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame for leading the United States to the basketball gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

The list of 11 inductees announced Monday includes Kay Yow, who led the U.S. women to the 1988 Olympic title.

Tennis

Venus rallies to win

New York — Venus Williams was bothered by a bad knee and distracted by more than a half-dozen foot faults. What never fazed her: a big deficit.

Quite close to losing in the U.S. Open’s first round for the first time, Williams came all the way back from a set and a break down to beat 47th-ranked Vera Dushevina of Russia, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3, Monday.